Surveillance Epidemiologist

If you're looking to be a part of a collaborative environment where your skills can make an impact, explore our current opportunities in creating a better future for public health.About Harris County Public Health:Harris County Public Health (HCPH) includes a network of more than 1,100 public health professionals working together to improve health outcomes for the third most populous county in the United States. HCPH provides a multitude of services such as medical and dental services, community programming, and health education for the approximately 2.3 million people in unincorporated Harris County. Through its core values of innovation, engagement, and health equity, HCPH strives to bring meaningful solutions to public health issues while keeping Harris County healthy and vibrant.Position Overview:Under the supervision of the Communicable and Emerging Diseases Supervisor, the Surveillance Epidemiologist applies principles of Epidemiology to disease control activities and surveillance issues related to public health services and preparedness within the jurisdiction of HCPH. These principles will be applied to all notifiable conditions with a focus on Tuberculosis (TB) investigations and surveillance, and will include monitoring disease trends in the county, serving as the subject matter expert during TB case and outbreak investigations, and performing contact investigations. Responsibilities also include prevention and control of diseases related to potential Bioterrorism/Chemical/Radiological agents, and the proper surveillance and reporting of normal disease occurrence and outbreak situations. The Epidemiologist may also contribute to the investigations of chronic/environmental disease conditions as needed, as well as analysis of disease data in surveillance activities.Duties & Responsibilities:Epidemiology DutiesConduct epidemiology case and contact investigations for selected communicable diseases or notifiable conditions, with a focus on TB, and other conditions/illnesses of public health significance to ensure readiness for responding to public health threats and emergencies. Ensure data entry of cases/contacts and investigations into the appropriate surveillance data management systems and meet standards outlined by State of Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). Provide 24/7 disease surveillance coverage on a rotating basis with other epidemiologists for after hour calls. Provide consultation and make recommendations for control measures and prevention based on public health guidelines. Collect, package, and process specimens in accordance with laboratory guidelines for testing, as needed. Research, Data Analysis, and ReportsParticipate in research activities which may include the design, preparation, and review of reports from analyses of surveillance data, literature reviews, and other information. Perform data analysis of cases/contacts, field investigations, and other data sources for routine surveillance reports, such as TB for Harris County, as well as reports of KPIs. Other reports may include monthly morbidity reports, disease summary reports, TB reports and outbreak investigation summary reports.OutreachEstablish and maintain relationships with hospital infection control preventionists, school health care coordinators, nurses, and other partners to promote reporting of Texas notifiable conditions. Initiate active surveillance in daycares, schools, and long-term care facilities etc. when an outbreak occurs. Coordinate with TB clinic for investigations, referrals, and quality assurance. Provide information related to epidemiology, surveillance, and other public health issues to diverse audiences and community partners, such as schools. Conduct presentations to healthcare professionals and public constituents on the risk, prevention, and control measures associated with notifiable conditions such as TB, as well as education on PrEP and nPEP.

Harris County Public Health (HCPH) includes a network of more than 1,100 public health professionals working together to improve health outcomes for the third most populous county in the United States. HCPH provides a multitude of services such as medical and dental services, community programming, and health education for the approximately 2.3 million people in unincorporated Harris County. Through its core values of innovation, engagement, and health equity, HCPH strives to bring meaningful solutions to public health issues while keeping Harris County healthy and vibrant.